See the world at walking pace
Walking holidays are one of the best ways to get to know a country and its people – not to mention seeing some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. We’ve compiled an entire bucket list’s worth of trekking travels to explore.
North America
Yosemite National Park (California, USA)
Stunning high sierras are to be found in Yosemite National Park. There are several multi-day hikes to try depending on the time of year and level of experience. For an easy walking, three-day hike, the Ten Lakes Loop covers 32 kilometres and will reward you with stunning views of pristine lakes framed by alpine forests.
For experienced hikers, the Hetch Hetchy Loop presents the ideal challenge. This trek will take you between three and four days and follows a route less travelled past beautiful waterfalls and untouched wilderness around O’Shaughnessy Dam and Lake Vernon.
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Middle East
Dana Nature Reserve to Petra (Jordan)
Discover a city forgotten by the world for centuries.
The ‘rose city’ of Petra was established in the 4th century BC for its ideal location on the incense trade routes. It flourished particularly in the 1st century AD, when its most impressive buildings were carved in the stone. But after the fall of the Roman Empire, Petra was largely forgotten until rediscovered by a Swiss tourist in 1812.
This seven-to-11-day trek takes you through the Wadi Al Ghuweir, past Little Petra through a dark narrow gorge that opens out into the stunning ancient city. After you’ve explored Petra, spend overnight in a Bedouin camp and trek back through Rakebak Canyon.
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South America
Inca Trail (Peru)
Classed as a moderate level trek with lots of uphill hiking, the Inca Trail follows the ancient route from the Sacred Valley just outside of Cusco in Peru and ends at the gate of legendary Machu Picchu. This guided tour takes between four and seven days to complete.
Machu Picchu is nestled in the Andes mountains at 2500m above sea level. The 15th century city features more than 200 structures, and all have a fascinating history.
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Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Its very name brings a moment of breathless awe. However, the highest mountain in Africa can be conquered by intrepid hikers. There are a number of ways to reach the summit depending on your fitness level and willingness to do a bit of rock scrambling.
The hikes take between four and nine days depending on the route selected. The most popular is the Kilimanjaro-Machame Route which takes seven days. It rewards hikers with breathtaking views and plenty of time to acclimatise to the ascent.
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Europe
Hadrian’s Wall (northern England)
Hadrian’s Wall marked the final frontier, the farthest western reach of the unstoppable Roman Empire.
Stretching from Newcastle-on-Tyne in the east to Cumbria in the west, the Hadrian’s Wall Path is a 135km national trail that crosses from one side of England to the other.
While there are shorter treks that take in part of the trail, stalwart hikers can walk the entire length in a rewarding ten days through breathtaking borderlands and charming fields.
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The Camino Routes (Spain)
Follow in the footsteps of devout pilgrims of ages past as they travelled through France and into Spain to pay their respects at the shrine of St James the Greater in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compstela in Galicia.
The Camino represents several possible treks and the one you choose is based on what scenery takes your fancy.
The most popular is the Camino Frances which, at its full length, is 790km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Galicia. However, you can do the last 113kms over seven days and take in charming medieval villages and Celtic ruins along the way.
Your map to success
Short of time or prefer the comforts of home but still want to get those kilometres in? We may have found the solution.
The Conqueror Virtual Challenge is a website that offers a novel way to hit your fitness goals by setting a virtual workout for you to follow. Every time you add a workout you advance on a map, unlocking postcards and revealing local spots of interest in the area.
Challenges include the Rocky Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef, the Giza Pyramids and the Great Wall of China.
